The world’s oceans and coasts support the livelihoods of billions of people around the world. However, increased human activities, coupled with the impacts of climate change, have put additional pressure on our world’s aquatic ecosystems while undermining their health.

The blue economy seeks to improve human well‐being and social equity while addressing current economic and environmental challenges.

Blue economy value

The blue economy protects aquatic ecosystems and coastal regions through sustainable initiatives. It also stabilizes and sustainably provides food security.

Blue economy initiatives can help mitigate pressures and increase the resilience of:

tourismmarine resourcesport infrastructureaquatic ecosystemscoastal communitiesrecreational facilities

Environmentally-friendly blue economy businesses have the potential to create jobs, adding gross value to the annual global economy.

Climate change

Climate change and pollution both contribute substantially to ocean degradation.

P.1Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

The blue economy protects aquatic ecosystems and coastal regions through sustainable initiatives. It also stabilizes and sustainably provides food security.

Theme: Climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans

Ensuring healthy and productive waters

Climate change impacts oceans through:

warmingraising sea levelsmelting polar icecausing ocean acidification changing the oceans’ major current systems

Elevated temperatures affect biological diversity and causes:

coral bleachingforced migration of many specieslife cycle interference of marine speciesdecreased nutrient availability in marine ecosystems

The rise in sea levels endangers the survival of:

coral reefsmangroves

sea grassesnesting beaches for marine lifeother critical habitat-forming species

Small island states are also directly threatened by sea level rise. Some Kiribati citizens are already among the world’s first refugees of sea level rise, as 2 of the nation’s islands have disappeared into the ocean.

Ocean acidification is caused by increased carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption. It directly harms or kills ocean plants and animals that are sensitive to acidic conditions in aquatic ecosystems.

Pollution

The cumulative release of pollutants into oceans and water bodies greatly affects the growth of the blue economy.

Causes of pollution

Pollution that affects the oceans includes:

underwater noise chemicals and oilmarine litter, such as plasticsnon-biodegradable pollutantsnutrient over-enrichment from:

atmospheric depositionagricultural and urban runoffpolluted groundwater seepageinefficient wastewater treatment plantsrelease of previously accumulated nutrients from sediments

contamination from ships, including greenhouse gas emissions

Non-sustainable agricultural activities along bodies of water promote increased pollution in aquatic environments.

P.2Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

Small island states are also directly threatened by sea level rise. Some Kiribati citizens are already among the world’s first refugees of sea level rise, as 2 of the nation’s islands have disappeared into the ocean.

Theme - Climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans

Effects of pollution

The effects of pollution on oceans include:

reduction of amenities contamination of food chainshindrances to marine activitiestoxicity of the marine environmentimpairment of quality for water use hazards to human and aquatic healthdepletion of oxygen content in the waterdisruption to reproductive systems and cycles of coral reefs

Large algal blooms lead to very low levels of oxygen in waters, killing fish, shellfish and aquatic plants.

Marine litter

Marine litter in oceans is another major source of pollution. The World Economic Forum projects that in 2050, the dumping of plastics into oceans will be over 8 million

tonnes per year and result in more plastics than fish in the ocean.

It’s estimated that over 10% of the total ocean contamination is caused by lost or discarded fishing gear. This can result in entanglement and death of marine mammals and other aquatic organisms.

Integrated Water Resources Management

The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach supports aquatic environment integrity and its economic sustainability through proper management of aquatic resources.

IWRM activities to improve the quality of water entering the oceans include:

implementing basin plansestablishing feedback systems

complying with legal frameworks involving stakeholders and usersimproving flag state implementation using new technologies in spatial planning creating capacity and awareness campaignsbuilding climate resilient communities in protected areasemploying strategies for best practices on the management of waste and floods enforcing port state control measures and international cooperation on trans-boundary issues

In addition, management of the risks associated with the nuclear pollution of the oceans will be important to the sustainability of oceans and other water bodies.

Theme - Climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans

P.3Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

It’s estimated that over 10% of the total ocean contamination is caused by lost or discarded fishing gear.

Forecasting and detection

Pollution sources and their conduits need to be mapped, and their subsequent integrated strategies developed and implemented. The establishment of a robust monitoring system would guide policy decisions toward pollution-free oceans. It should include monitoring of:

maritime forecasts sea data observations weather and water quality data networks

greenhouse gasses from the shipping industry

Also needing improvement is:

pollution detectionresponse capacity to oil spills disaster preparedness and response

The reduction of pollution in the oceans will enhance and sustain the blue economy. It will also reduce pressure on land-based livelihoods by reducing land-based pollution and improving the sustainability of a pollution-free aquatic environment.

Opportunities

The outcomes and prospects for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation measures will depend on the choices humanity makes.

Developing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies could:

build coastal resiliencelead cost-effective energy supply support sound environmental stewardshipimprove ecosystem service and natural capital values

This could be provided through the development and adoption of low-carbon and carbon-free energy technologies. Best practices involving eco-initiatives and innovations should be focused on for the sustainability of the blue economy.

Agricultural and aquaculture best practices have the potential to:

act as carbon sinks lessen water pollutionmanage climate changelimit climate change impacts

We need to achieve pollution-free bodies of water to protect and preserve the marine environment.

Theme - Climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans

P.4Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

The establishment of a robust monitoring system would guide policy decisions toward pollution-free oceans.

Panelists will guide discussions on:

What policies and legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks can be implemented to reduce aquatic pollution?

What strategies and enabling conditions are best for implementing the “polluter pays” principle within developing economies?

What innovative technologies and financial mechanisms are there to support sustainable management of aquatic resources, coastal resilience and pollution reduction? How do we support these in small-scale (under $500,000) or middle market operations (between $500,000 and $5 million) versus large-scale operations (over $5 million)?

What key factors drive effective and sustainable public/private partnerships for reducing pollution and climate change?

How should existing multilateral environmental agreements be best implemented to sustainably manage aquatic ecosystems?

What concerted actions by the international community are required to stop the flow of plastics and marine waste into the aquatic environment?

How do we turn waste management into attractive business opportunities for women and youths?

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Theme - Climate action, agriculture waste management and pollution-free oceans

P.5Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, Nairobi 2018

sea levels endangers